U.S. patent application number 16/034435 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for vehicular closure latch assembly with roller-type latch mechanism and cinch mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is MAGNA CLOSURES INC.. Invention is credited to Francesco CUMBO.
Application Number | 20190017301 16/034435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64745493 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190017301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CUMBO; Francesco |
January 17, 2019 |
VEHICULAR CLOSURE LATCH ASSEMBLY WITH ROLLER-TYPE LATCH MECHANISM
AND CINCH MECHANISM
Abstract
A latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system having a
latch mechanism, a latch release mechanism and a power cinching
mechanism. The latch mechanism is operable in a released state when
a closure panel is located in an open position, in a secondary
closed state when the closure panel is located in a
partially-closed position, and in a primary closed state when the
closure panel is located in a fully-closed position. The cinching
mechanism interacts with the latch mechanism to establish the
secondary closed state and is actuated for shifting the latch
mechanism from its secondary closed state into its primary closed
state.
Inventors: |
CUMBO; Francesco; (Pisa,
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAGNA CLOSURES INC. |
Newmarket |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
64745493 |
Appl. No.: |
16/034435 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62533314 |
Jul 17, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 81/72 20130101;
E05B 81/20 20130101; E05B 85/26 20130101; E05B 85/243 20130101;
E05B 81/66 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E05B 81/20 20060101
E05B081/20; E05B 85/24 20060101 E05B085/24; E05B 85/26 20060101
E05B085/26 |
Claims
1. A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a
latch mechanism including a ratchet having a ratchet latch feature
and a ratchet engagement feature, a ratchet biasing member, a pawl,
and a pawl biasing member, the ratchet being moveable between a
striker release position whereat the ratchet is positioned to
release a striker and two distinct striker capture positions
whereat the ratchet is positioned to retain the striker, the two
distinct striker capture positions including a secondary striker
capture position and a primary striker capture position, the
ratchet biasing member configured to bias the ratchet toward its
striker release position, the pawl being moveable between a ratchet
holding position whereat the pawl engages the ratchet latch feature
and holds the ratchet in its primary striker capture position and a
ratchet releasing position whereat the pawl is disengaged from the
ratchet latch feature, the pawl being located in its ratchet
releasing position when said ratchet is located in its striker
release and secondary striker capture positions, the pawl biasing
member configured to bias the pawl toward its ratchet holding
position; and a latch cinch mechanism operable to engage the
ratchet engagement feature in response to movement of the ratchet
from its striker release position into its secondary striker
capture position and to maintain engagement with the ratchet
engagement feature for holding the ratchet in its secondary striker
capture position while the pawl is located in its ratchet releasing
position.
2. The closure latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch cinch
mechanism is further operable to move the ratchet from its
secondary striker capture position into its primary striker capture
position due to continued engagement with the ratchet engagement
feature whereat the pawl is permitted to move into engagement with
the latch feature on the ratchet for holding the ratchet in its
primary striker capture position.
3. The closure latch assembly of claim 2, wherein the latch cinch
mechanism includes a cinch link having a cinch link engagement
feature, the cinch link being moveable between a rest position and
an engaged position, wherein the cinch link engagement feature is
disengaged from the ratchet engagement feature when the cinch link
is located in its rest position and the ratchet is located in its
striker release position, and wherein the cinch link engagement
feature is engaged with the ratchet engagement feature when the
cinch link is located in its engaged position and the ratchet is
located in its secondary striker capture position such that the
cinch link engagement feature holds the ratchet in its secondary
striker capture position to prevent movement of the ratchet toward
its striker release position.
4. The closure latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the latch cinch
mechanism includes a cinch actuator operable for causing the cinch
link to move from its engaged position to its ratchet cinched
position causes the ratchet to move from its secondary striker
capture position into its primary striker capture position due to
engagement between the cinch link engagement feature and the
ratchet engagement feature.
5. The closure latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the ratchet latch
feature is a latch shoulder formed on the ratchet, wherein the
ratchet engagement feature is a ratchet post extending from the
ratchet, and wherein the cinch link engagement feature is a lock
notch that is selectable engageable with the ratchet post.
6. The closure latch assembly of claim 5, wherein the pawl includes
a roller-type pawl engagement feature configured to engage the
latch shoulder on the ratchet when the pawl is located in its
ratchet holding position and the ratchet is located in its primary
striker capture position, and wherein the roller-type pawl
engagement feature rides against an edge surface of the ratchet
configured to hold the pawl in its ratchet releasing position when
the ratchet is located in either of its striker release and
secondary striker capture positions.
7. The closure latch assembly of claim 4, wherein the closure latch
assembly is mounted to one of a vehicle door and a vehicle body and
the striker is mounted to the other one of the vehicle door and the
vehicle body, wherein the latch mechanism is operating in a
released state and the latch cinch mechanism is operating in a rest
state when the vehicle door is located in an open position relative
to the vehicle body such that the ratchet is located in its striker
release position and the cinch link is located in its rest
position, wherein the latch mechanism is operating in a secondary
closed state and the latch cinch mechanism is operating in an
engaged state when the vehicle door is moved to a partially-closed
position relative to the vehicle body such that the striker
forcibly moves the ratchet from its striker release position to its
secondary striker capture position and the cinch link is permitted
to move from its rest position to its engaged position, and wherein
the latch mechanism is operating in a primary closed state and the
latch cinch mechanism is operating in a latch cinched state when
the latch cinch mechanism is actuated by the cinch actuator to
provide a cinching function by moving the cinch link from its
engaged position into its ratchet cinched position so as to move
the ratchet from its secondary striker capture position into its
primary striker capture position due to engagement of the cinch
link engagement feature with the ratchet engagement feature.
8. The closure latch assembly of claim 7, wherein a power resetting
function is subsequently initiated to cause the cinch actuator to
disengage the cinch link engagement feature from the ratchet
engagement feature while the pawl is located in its ratchet holding
position for holding the ratchet in its primary striker capture
position.
9. The closure latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the latch cinch
mechanism further includes a cinch lever and a power-operated cinch
actuator, the cinch lever being moveable between a rest position
whereat the cinch lever locates the cinch link in its rest position
and an actuated position whereat the cinch lever moves the cinch
link from its engaged position to its ratchet cinched position, and
wherein the power-operated cinch actuator is operable to move the
cinch lever between its rest and actuated positions for providing a
power cinching function.
10. The closure latch assembly of claim 9, wherein the cinch link
is biased by a cinch link biasing member toward its engaged
position.
11. The closure latch assembly of claim 9, wherein the cinch link
has a cinch link pivot post retained in a lost motion slot formed
in the cinch lever to coordinate relative movement
therebetween.
12. The closure latch assembly of claim 3, further comprising a
latch release mechanism operable for moving the pawl from its
ratchet holding position to its ratchet releasing position, wherein
the latch release mechanism includes a release lever moveable
between a non-actuated position whereat the pawl is located in its
ratchet holding position and an actuated position whereat the pawl
is located in its ratchet releasing position, and wherein the cinch
link is operatively coupled to the release lever to coordinate
relative movement therebetween.
13. A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a
latch mechanism including a ratchet having a ratchet engagement
member, a ratchet biasing member, a pawl, and a pawl biasing
member, the ratchet being moveable between a striker release
position whereat the ratchet is positioned to release a striker and
two distinct striker capture positions whereat the ratchet is
positioned to retain the striker, the two distinct striker capture
positions including a secondary striker capture position and a
primary striker capture position, the ratchet biasing member being
operable for biasing the ratchet toward its striker release
position, the pawl being moveable between a ratchet holding
position whereat the pawl holds the ratchet in its primary striker
capture position and a ratchet releasing position whereat the pawl
is positioned to permit the ratchet to move to its striker release
position, the pawl being located in its ratchet releasing position
when the ratchet is located in either of its striker release and
secondary striker capture positions, the pawl biasing member being
operable for biasing the pawl toward its ratchet holding position;
a latch cinch mechanism including a cinch link having a cinch link
engagement member, the cinch link being moveable between a rest
position whereat the cinch link engagement member is disengaged
from the ratchet engagement member when the ratchet is positioned
in its striker release position and an engaged position whereat the
cinch link engagement member engages the ratchet engagement member
for holding the ratchet in its secondary striker capture position;
and a cinch actuation mechanism operable for moving the cinch link
from its engaged position to a ratchet cinched position for causing
the ratchet to move from its secondary striker position into its
primary striker position due to engagement of the cinch link
engagement member with the ratchet engagement member so as to
permit the pawl to move into its ratchet holding position for
holding the ratchet in its primary striker capture position.
14. The closure latch assembly of claim 13, wherein the closure
latch assembly is mounted to one of a vehicle door and a vehicle
body and the striker is mounted to the other one of the vehicle
door and the vehicle body, wherein the latch mechanism is operating
in a released state and the latch cinch mechanism is operating in a
rest state when the vehicle door is located in an open position
relative to the vehicle body such that the ratchet is located in
its striker release position and the cinch link is located in its
rest position, wherein the latch mechanism is operating in a
secondary closed state and the latch cinch mechanism is operating
in an engaged state when the vehicle door is moved to a
partially-closed position relative to the vehicle body such that
the striker forcibly moves the ratchet to its secondary striker
capture position and the cinch link is permitted to move to its
engaged position, and wherein the latch mechanism is operating in a
primary closed state and the latch cinch mechanism is operating in
a latch cinched state when the cinch actuation mechanism is
actuated to provide a cinching function by moving the cinch link
from its engaged position into its ratchet cinched position so as
to move the ratchet from its secondary striker capture position
into its primary striker capture position due to engagement of the
cinch link engagement member with the ratchet engagement
member.
15. The closure latch assembly of claim 13, wherein the cinch
actuation mechanism includes a cinch lever and a power-operated
cinch actuator, the cinch lever being moveable between a rest
position whereat the cinch lever locates the cinch link in its rest
position and an actuated position whereat the cinch lever moves the
cinch link from its engaged position to its ratchet cinched
position, and wherein the power-operated cinch actuator is operable
to move the cinch lever between its rest and actuated positions for
providing a power cinching function.
16. The closure latch assembly of claim 14, further comprising a
latch release mechanism operable for moving the pawl from its
ratchet holding position to its ratchet releasing position for
shifting the latch mechanism from its primary closed state into its
released state, wherein the latch release mechanism includes a
release lever moveable between a non-actuated position whereat the
pawl is located in its ratchet holding position and an actuated
position whereat the pawl is located in its ratchet releasing
position, and wherein the cinch link is operatively coupled to the
release lever to coordinate relative movement therebetween.
17. A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a
latch mechanism including a ratchet having a ratchet engagement
member and a pawl, the ratchet being moveable between a striker
release position whereat the ratchet is positioned to release a
striker and two distinct striker capture positions whereat the
ratchet is positioned to retain the striker, the two distinct
striker capture positions including a secondary striker capture
position and a primary striker capture position, the pawl being
moveable between a ratchet holding position whereat the pawl holds
the ratchet in its primary striker capture position and a ratchet
releasing position whereat the pawl is positioned to permit the
ratchet to move to its striker release position, the pawl being
located in its ratchet releasing position when the ratchet is
located in either of its striker release and secondary striker
capture positions; a latch cinch mechanism including a cinch link
having a cinch link engagement member, the cinch link engagement
member configured to selectively engage the ratchet engagement
member on the ratchet; and a cinch actuation mechanism operable for
moving the cinch link to drive cinch link engagement member into
the ratchet engagement member upon feedback from a sensor that the
ratchet is located in its secondary striker capture position,
whereby the ratchet is driven to its primary striker capture
position and the pawl is permitted to move to its ratchet holding
position.
18. The closure latch assembly of claim 17, wherein the cinch
actuation mechanism is operable to stop moving the cinch link from
driving the cinch link engagement member into the ratchet
engagement member upon feedback from a second sensor that the
ratchet is located in at least one of its primary striker capture
position and in an over travel position from its primary striker
capture position.
19. The closure latch assembly of claim 17, wherein the cinch
actuation mechanism is operable to stop moving the cinch link from
driving the cinch link engagement member into the ratchet
engagement member upon feedback from a second sensor that the
ratchet is located in an over travel position from its primary
striker capture position.
20. The closure latch assembly of claims 18, wherein the second
sensor is configured to provide a signal when the ratchet moves to
its primary striker capture position, and the sensor is configured
to provide a signal when the latch cinch mechanism moves to an
actuated position indicating the ratchet is located in its
secondary striker capture position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/533,314 filed Jul. 17, 2017.
The disclosure of the above application is incorporated by
reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to closure latch
assemblies of the type used in vehicle closure systems for
releasably securing a closure panel relative to a body portion of a
motor vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure is
directed to a power-operated closure latch assembly equipped with a
roller-type latch mechanism and a latch cinch mechanism arranged to
provide a power cinching function.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to
latch assemblies of the type used in motor vehicle closure systems
and which is not necessarily prior art to the inventive concepts
associated with the present disclosure.
[0004] In view of increased consumer demand for motor vehicles
equipped with advanced comfort and convenience features, many
modern motor vehicles are now provided with passive entry systems
to permit locking and release of closure panels (i.e. doors,
tailgates, liftgates, decklids, etc.) without the use of
traditional key-type manual entry systems. In this regard, some of
the more popular features now available with vehicular closure
systems include power unlocking/locking, power release, power child
locks, and power cinching. These "powered" features are typically
integrated into a latch assembly mounted to the closure panel and
which is equipped with a ratchet/pawl type of latch mechanism that
is controlled via at least one electric actuator. Movement of the
closure panel from an open position toward a closed position
results in a striker (mounted to a structural portion of the
vehicle) engaging and forcibly rotating the ratchet, in opposition
to biasing normally applied to the ratchet via a ratchet biasing
member, from a striker release position toward a striker capture
position. Once the ratchet is located in its striker capture
position, the pawl moves into a ratchet holding position whereat
the pawl engages and holds the ratchet in its striker capture
position, thereby latching the latch mechanism and holding the
closure panel in its closed position. In most modern latch
assemblies of the type equipped with such a ratchet/pawl latch
mechanism, the pawl is operable in its ratchet holding position to
retain the ratchet in both of a primary (i.e. "hard close") striker
capture position when the closure panel is located in a
fully-closed position and a secondary (i.e. "soft close") striker
capture position when the closure panel is located in a
partially-closed position.
[0005] Latch assemblies providing a power release feature typically
include a latch release mechanism actuated by an electric "power
release" actuator for causing the pawl to move from its ratchet
holding position into a ratchet releasing position whereat the pawl
is disengaged from the ratchet. Thereafter, the ratchet biasing
member moves the ratchet from one of its primary and secondary
striker capture positions into its striker release position,
thereby releasing the latch mechanism and permitting movement of
the vehicle closure panel to its open position. The power release
actuator is controlled by a latch control unit in response to a
latch release signal generated by the passive entry system (i.e.
via a key fob or a handle-mounted switch).
[0006] Latch assemblies providing a power cinching feature
typically include a latch cinch mechanism actuated by an electric
"power cinch" actuator and configured to cause the ratchet to move
from its secondary striker capture position into its primary
striker capture position, thereby moving the closure panel from its
partially-closed position into its fully-closed position. The latch
cinch mechanism is normally maintained in a non-actuated condition
and is only shifted into an actuated condition when sensors
associated with the latch mechanism indicate that the ratchet is
located in its secondary striker capture position. Following
completion of the power cinching operation, when the sensors
indicate that the ratchet is located in its primary striker capture
position, the latch cinch mechanism is reset. Specifically, the
latch cinch mechanism is returned to its non-actuated condition so
as to permit uninhibited movement of the ratchet to its striker
release position in response to subsequent actuation of the latch
release mechanism. Obviously, if the closure panel is initially
closed with sufficient closing force to locate the ratchet in its
primary striker capture position, then the cinching operation is
bypassed and the latch cinch mechanism is maintained in its
non-actuated condition.
[0007] To ensure that precipitation and road debris do not enter
the vehicle, all vehicular closure panels are equipped with
resilient weather seals disposed around their periphery and which
are configured to seal against a mating surface of the vehicle body
surrounding the closure opening. These weather seals also function
to reduce wind noise and are configured to compress upon latching
of the closure panel in its fully-closed position relative to the
vehicle body. As is well recognized, increasing the compressive
seal force applied to the weather seals provides improved noise
reduction within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.
However, these seal forces also tend to drive the closure panel
toward its open position, thereby loading the latch mechanism. As
such, undesirably high latch release forces, required to release
the latch mechanism, are established along the engagement interface
between the ratchet and the pawl. These high latch release forces
detrimentally impact the size and power requirements of the power
release actuator which, in turn, drives up the overall cost and
size of the latch assembly. To address this shortcoming, it is
known to equip the latch assembly with a double ratchet/pawl type
of latch mechanism. As a further alternative, it is known to modify
the single ratchet/pawl type of latch mechanism with a roller-type
engagement feature such as is shown in commonly-owned U.S.
Publication No. US 2017/0051540.
[0008] While current power-operated latch assemblies are sufficient
to meet all regulatory requirements and provide desired levels of
enhanced comfort and convenience, a need continues to exist
directed toward advancing the technology and providing alternative
power-operated closure latch assemblies and sub-systems that
address and overcome at least some of the known shortcomings
associated with conventional closure latch arrangements.
[0009] For latches with power cinching, the controller needs to
know the position of the ratchet (released, primary engaged,
secondary engaged position), in order to know when to begin and
when to stop the cinching motor. Typically, switches triggered by
either the ratchet or the pawl, or both, tend to report on the
ratchet position. FIG. 23 shows a prior art switching strategy. One
switch is triggered by the ratchet, and another switch is triggered
by the pawl. The ratchet switch has an OFF state when the ratchet
is rotated into the release position, and an ON state when the
ratchet is rotates past the secondary and preferably close to the
primary engagement positions. To compensate for operational
variances, there is a slight lag between the ratchet reaching the
primary engagement position and the ratchet switch indicating that
the ratchet is engaged. The pawl switch has an OFF position that
corresponds to the pawl being actuated away from the ratchet, and
an ON position, which corresponds to when the pawl retains the
ratchet in either the secondary or primary engagement positions.
One problem with this switch strategy is that the switches report
the same state (OFF and OFF) when the ratchet is in the primary
engagement position, and an interlude between the primary and
secondary engagement positions. For example if the door remains
between the primary and secondary position after a manual closing
for a reason (i.e.: a low seal load), the pawl is indicated in the
OFF position yet the ratchet ajar is not yet in the ON state, and
the switch still indicates the OFF. Thus the states of the switches
correspond to the OPEN position of the door yet the door is in a
partially closed position. This means the controller is not able to
distinguish the partially closed state of the door from an open
state and thus will not proceed to power the cinch leading to a
cinch malfunction. The inability for the switches to properly
indicate the position of the ratchet is known as a blind spot.
SUMMARY
[0010] This section provides a general summary of some of the
inventive concepts associated with the present disclosure.
Accordingly, this section is not intended to be interpreted as a
comprehensive and exhaustive listing of all features, aspects,
objectives and/or advantages associated with the inventive concepts
of the present disclosure that are further described and
illustrated in the detailed description provided herein.
[0011] It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a
power-operated latch assembly that meets the above-identified needs
and provides a technological advancement over known power-operated
latch assemblies.
[0012] It is another objective of the present disclosure to provide
a latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system equipped with a
latch mechanism, a power-operated latch release mechanism, and a
power-operated latch cinch mechanism.
[0013] It is a further objective of the present disclosure to
incorporate a plurality of technical solutions into the
power-operated latch assembly to effectively reduce power release
(i.e. opening) force requirements, provide enhanced power cinch
functionality, and provide mechanical cinch disengagement
functionality.
[0014] It is still a further objective of the present disclosure to
employ the power-operated latch cinch mechanism to hold the ratchet
of the latch mechanism in a secondary striker capture position
without direct latched engagement between the pawl and the ratchet,
and to further employ the power-operated latch cinch mechanism to
move the ratchet from its secondary striker capture position into a
primary striker capture position whereat the pawl moves into
engagement with the ratchet while the latch cinch mechanism is
subsequently moved out of engagement with the ratchet. The
requirement of having an additional pawl to maintain the ratchet in
the secondary striker capture position is also not required,
reducing the complexity and packaging size of the closure latch
assembly.
[0015] In accordance with these and other objectives, the present
disclosure is directed to a closure latch assembly comprising: a
latch mechanism having a ratchet moveable between a striker release
position whereat the ratchet is positioned to release a striker, a
secondary (soft-close) striker capture position and a primary
(hard-close) striker capture position, a ratchet biasing member for
normally biasing the ratchet toward its striker release position, a
pawl moveable between a ratchet holding position whereat the pawl
is positioned to hold the ratchet in its primary striker capture
position and a ratchet releasing position whereat the pawl is
positioned to permit movement of the ratchet to its striker release
position, and a pawl biasing member for normally biasing the pawl
toward its ratchet holding position; a latch release mechanism
having a release lever engaging the pawl and moveable between a
non-actuated position whereat the release lever permits the pawl to
be located in its ratchet holding position and an actuated position
whereat the release lever causes the pawl to move to its ratchet
releasing position, and a release lever biasing member for normally
biasing the release lever toward its non-actuated position; a latch
cinch mechanism having a cinch link moveable between a rest
position whereat a lock notch on the cinch link is disengaged from
a ratchet post extending from the ratchet when the ratchet is
located in its striker release position and an engaged position
whereat the lock notch on the cinch link engages the ratchet post
on the ratchet when the ratchet is located in its secondary striker
capture position; and an actuation mechanism having a cinch lever
operably moveable from a cinch start position to a cinch stop
position for causing the cinch link to move from its engaged
position to a ratchet cinched position which causes the ratchet to
rotate from its secondary striker capture position to its primary
striker capture position due to continued engagement of the lock
notch on the cinch link with the ratchet post on the ratchet so as
to provide a power cinching function.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect, the ratchet has an
elongated edge profile provided within a first plane of the ratchet
defining a latch shoulder engaged by the pawl to hold the ratchet
in its primary striker capture position, and a ratchet engagement
member is provided within a second plane of the ratchet, the second
plane being adjacent to the first plane.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect, the cinch lever, the
release lever, and the cinch link, interact with one another
through upstanding members projecting from the cinch lever, the
release lever, and/or the cinch link, the upstanding members
engageable within slots provided within the adjacent one or more of
the cinch lever, the release lever, and the cinch link.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect, the cinch actuation
mechanism is operable to stop moving the cinch link from driving
the cinch link engagement member into the ratchet engagement member
upon feedback from a second sensor that the ratchet is located in
its primary striker capture position.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect, the cinch actuation
mechanism is operable to stop moving the cinch link from driving
the cinch link engagement member into the ratchet engagement member
upon feedback from a second sensor that the ratchet is located in
an over travel position from its primary striker capture
position.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect, the second sensor is
configured to provide a signal when the ratchet moves to its
primary striker capture position, and the sensor is configured to
provide a signal when the latch cinch mechanism moves to an
actuated position indicating the ratchet is located in its
secondary striker capture position.
[0021] The above-noted closure latch assembly of the present
disclosure is further operable such that subsequent movement of the
actuation mechanism from the cinch stop position back to the cinch
start position results in movement of the cinch link from its
ratchet cinched position to its rest position, whereby the lock
notch is disengaged from the ratchet post to provide a cinch reset
function while the pawl holds the ratchet in its primary striker
capture position.
[0022] The above-noted latch assembly of the present disclosure is
further operable such that movement of the release lever from its
non-actuated position to its actuated position acts to move the
cinch link from its ratchet cinched position to its rest position
to provide a cinch override feature.
[0023] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
detailed description provided herein. The description and specific
examples disclosed in this summary are provided for purposes of
illustration only and do not act to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0024] The drawings described herein are provided to illustrate
selected, non-limiting embodiments associated with the present
disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a motor vehicle
having a closure panel equipped with a closure latch assembly
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a roller-type latch mechanism
associated with the closure latch assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the latch mechanism shown
in FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating the latch mechanism in a
released state, FIG. 4B is a similar plan view illustrating the
latch mechanism in an initial or secondary closed state, FIG. 4C is
yet another plan view illustrating the latch mechanism in a final
or primary closed state, and FIG. 4D is an isometric view of the
latch mechanism in its primary closed state;
[0029] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an alternative version of a
roller-type latch mechanism operating in its primary closed
state;
[0030] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a roller engagement device
associated with the pawl of the alternative latch mechanism shown
in FIGS. 5A and 5B in greater detail;
[0031] FIGS. 7A through 7H are a series of sequential plan views
illustrating shifting of a roller-type latch mechanism from its
primary closed state into its released state;
[0032] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views illustrating another yet
alternative embodiment of the roller-type latch mechanism
configured for use with the closure latch assembly;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a isometric view of a closure latch assembly
constructed according to the present disclosure to include a latch
cinch mechanism which is shown interconnected to a power-operated
cinch actuator via a cinch cable assembly;
[0034] FIG. 9A is an isometric view of the closure latch assembly
and the latch cinch mechanism which is shown interconnected to a
power-operated cinch actuator via a cinch cable assembly as
illustratively installed within an inner cavity of a vehicle
door;
[0035] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a strength module associated
with the closure latch assembly shown in FIG. 9 illustrating a
roller-type ratchet/pawl latch mechanism, a latch release
mechanism, and a latch cinch mechanism operably arranged for
providing unique operational functionality according to the present
disclosure;
[0036] FIGS. 11 and 12 are additional isometric views of the
strength module of FIG. 10 showing additional components and
various operative connections therebetween;
[0037] FIGS. 13 through 17 are views of the strength module shown
in FIGS. 10-12 now illustrating the orientation and positioning of
the various components with the latch mechanism operating in a
primary closed state, the latch release mechanism operating in a
non-actuated state, and the latch cinch mechanism operating in a
rest state;
[0038] FIGS. 18A and 18B are plan views illustrating the
orientation and positioning of components with the latch mechanism
now operating in a released state, the latch release mechanism
maintained in its non-actuated state, and the latch cinch mechanism
now operating in a stand-by state;
[0039] FIGS. 19A and 19B are plan views illustrating the
orientation and positioning of components when the latch mechanism
is shifted from its released state into an initial or secondary
closed state and the latch cinch mechanism is shifted from its
stand-by state into an engaged state;
[0040] FIGS. 20A and 20B are additional plan views illustrating
actuation of the power-operated cinch actuator for shifting the
latch mechanism from its secondary closed state into its primary
closed state while the latch cinch mechanism is maintained in its
engaged state;
[0041] FIGS. 21A through 21C sequentially illustrate movement of
the components associated with a cinch override operation;
[0042] FIGS. 22A through 22G illustrate a series of sequential
isometric views showing the transition of the latch mechanism from
its released state (FIG. 22A) into its secondary closed state (FIG.
22C), subsequent actuation of the power cinch actuator for causing
the latch cinch mechanism to shift the latch mechanism from its
secondary closed state (FIG. 22C) into its primary closed state
(FIG. 22F), and subsequent disengagement and resetting of the latch
cinch mechanism (FIG. 22G); and
[0043] FIG. 23 shows a prior art switching strategy.
[0044] Corresponding reference numbers are used to indicate
corresponding components throughout the several views of the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. To this end, the example
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough,
and will fully convey its intended scope to those who are skilled
in the art. Accordingly, numerous specific details are set forth
such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to
provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present
disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that specific details need not be employed, that example
embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that
neither should be construed to limit the scope of the present
disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,
well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not
described in detail.
[0046] In the following detailed description, the expression "latch
assembly" will be used to generally, as an illustrative example,
indicate any power-operated latch device adapted for use with a
vehicle closure panel to provide a power cinch feature in
combination with a power release feature, but other configurations,
such as a manually-operated cinch or release features could be
provided. Additionally, the expression "closure panel" will be used
to indicate any element moveable between an open position and at
least one closed position, respectively opening and closing an
access to an inner compartment of a motor vehicle and therefore
includes, without limitations, decklids, tailgates, liftgates,
bonnet lids, and sunroofs in addition to the sliding or pivoting
side passenger doors of a motor vehicle to which the following
description will make explicit reference, purely by way of
example.
[0047] Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a motor
vehicle 10 is shown to include a vehicle body 12 defining an
opening 14 to an interior passenger compartment. A closure panel 16
is pivotably mounted to body 12 for movement between an open
position (shown), a partially-closed position, and a fully-closed
position relative to opening 14. A latch assembly 18 is rigidly
secured to closure panel 16 adjacent to an edge portion 16A thereof
and is releasably engageable with a striker 20 that is fixedly
secured to a recessed edge portion 14A of opening 14. As will be
detailed, latch assembly 18 housing a latch mechanism 32 is
operable to engage striker 20 and releaseably hold closure panel 16
in one of its partially-closed and fully-closed positions. An
outside handle 22 and an inside handle 24 are provided for
actuating (i.e. mechanically and/or electrically) latch assembly 18
to release striker 20 and permit subsequent movement of closure
panel 16 to its open position. An optional lock knob 26 is shown
which provides a visual indication of the locked state of latch
assembly 18 and which may also be operable to mechanically change
the locked state of latch assembly 18. A weather seal 28 is mounted
on edge portion 14A of opening 14 in vehicle body 12 and is adapted
to be resiliently compressed upon engagement with a mating sealing
surface on closure panel 16 when closure panel 16 is held by latch
assembly 18 in its fully-closed position so as to provide a sealed
interface therebetween which is configured to prevent entry of rain
and dirt into the passenger compartment while minimizing audible
wind noise. For purpose of clarity and functional association with
motor vehicle 10, the closure panel is hereinafter referred to as
door 16.
[0048] Referring now primarily to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, various
components of a latch mechanism 32 are shown pivotably mounted to a
latch frame plate 34 and generally include a ratchet 36, a pawl 38,
and a roller-type engagement device 40. Ratchet 36 is supported by
a ratchet pivot post 42 for movement between a striker release
position (FIG. 4A), a soft close or secondary striker capture
position (FIG. 4B), and a hard close or primary striker capture
position (FIGS. 4C and 4D). Ratchet 36 includes a striker guide
channel 44 terminating in a striker retention cavity 46. As seen,
latch frame plate 34 includes a fishmouth slot 48 aligned to accept
movement of striker 20 relative thereto. Ratchet 36 includes a
primary latch notch 50, a secondary latch notch 52, and an edge
surface 54. A raised guide surface 56 is also formed on ratchet 36.
Arrow 58 indicates a ratchet biasing member that is arranged to
normally bias ratchet 36 toward its striker release position.
[0049] Pawl 38 is shown pivotably mounted to latch frame plate 34
about a pawl pivot post 62 and includes a first pawl leg segment 64
and a second pawl leg segment 66 defining a pawl engagement surface
68. Roller-type engagement device 40 is secured to second pawl leg
segment 66 of pawl 38 and includes a pair of oppositely-disposed
sidewalls 70 defining a cage 72, and a roller, shown as a spherical
ball bearing 74, that is retained by cage 72 within aligned roller
slots 76 formed in sidewalls 70. Pawl 38 is pivotable between a
ratchet releasing position (FIG. 4A) and a ratchet holding position
(FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D). Pawl 38 is normally biased toward its
ratchet holding position by a pawl biasing member, indicated by
arrow 80.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4A, pawl 38 is held in its ratchet
releasing position when ratchet 36 is located in its striker
release position due to engagement of ball 74 with pawl engagement
surface 68 and with edge surface 54 on ratchet 36, whereby a
released operating state for latch mechanism 32 is established. As
shown in FIG. 4B, ball 74 engages pawl engagement surface 68 on
pawl 38 and secondary latch notch 52 on ratchet 36 so as to cause
pawl 38, when located in its ratchet holding position, to hold
ratchet 36 in its secondary striker capture position. In this
orientation, striker 20 is retained between ratchet guide channel
46 and fishmouth slot 48 in latch plate 34 to hold door 16 in a
partially-closed position and establish a secondary closed state
for latch mechanism 32. Finally, FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate pawl 38
located in its ratchet holding position with ball 74 engaging pawl
engagement surface 68 on pawl 38 and primary latch notch 50 on
ratchet 36 such that pawl 38 holds ratchet 36 in its primary
striker capture position so as to hold door 16 in its fully-closed
position and establish a primary closed operating state for latch
mechanism 32.
[0051] A latch release mechanism 100 is shown schematically to be
connected to first pawl leg segment 64 of pawl 36. Latch release
mechanism 100 may include a release lever 101 (FIG. 4D) that is
moveable between non-actuated and actuated positions to cause
corresponding movement of pawl 38 between its ratchet holding and
ratchet releasing positions. In addition, a power release actuator
102 is shown schematically connected to release lever 101 of latch
release mechanism 100. Actuation of power release actuator 102
causes release lever 101 to move pawl 38 from its ratchet holding
position into its ratchet releasing position. Power release
actuator 102 is preferably an electric motor-driven arrangement. A
ratchet switch lever 142 is mounted to ratchet 36 and works in
cooperation with a ratchet release sensor 144 to provide a "door
open" signal when ratchet 36 is located in its striker release
position and a secondary latched sensor 145 to provide a "door
ajar" signal when ratchet 36 is located in its secondary striker
capture position. As is well known, these signals are used by a
latch controller unit (ECU) to control operation of power release
actuator 102.
[0052] FIGS. 5A and 5B are provided to more clearly illustrate the
engagement of a roller 74A associated with engagement device 40
between pawl surface 68 on pawl 38 and primary latch notch 50 on
ratchet 36 when ratchet 36 is held in its primary striker capture
position by pawl 38 being positioned in its ratchet holding
position. A lug 86 on first pawl leg segment 64 of pawl 38 is shown
positioned within an arcuate guide slot 88 formed in latch plate 34
to provide guided pivotal movement of pawl 38. Lug 86 may engage an
actuation mechanism, such as power release actuator 102 provided on
an opposite side of latch plate 34 in accordance with an
illustrative embodiment. FIGS. 6A and 6B better illustrate an
alternative construction of pawl 38 and roller-type engagement unit
40. Note that in FIGS. 2-4, the roller member was a spherical ball
74 retained within cage 72. However, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the
roller member being a follower 74A mounted on a pivot post 90
extending from cage 72A.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 7A through 7H, a sequential series of
views are provided of latch mechanism 32 as it is shifted from its
primary closed state (FIG. 7A) into its released state (FIG. 7H) in
response to actuation of latch release mechanism 100 causing pawl
38 to pivot from its ratchet holding position into its ratchet
releasing position. Arrow 104 (FIGS. 7B-7G) illustrates the force
applied by latch release mechanism 100 to move pawl 38 in a ratchet
releasing direction from its ratchet holding position into its
ratchet releasing position. FIG. 7H illustrates, via arrow 106,
rotation of pawl 38 in a ratchet engaging direction back toward its
ratchet holding position due to the biasing of pawl spring 80 such
that ball 74 engages cam edge 54 of ratchet 36 upon release of
latch release mechanism 100.
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an alternative roller-type
latch mechanism 32A is shown to have a primary roller-type
engagement device 40A mounted on ratchet 36A adjacent to primary
latch notch 50, a secondary roller-type engagement device 40B
mounted on ratchet 36A adjacent to secondary latch notch 52, and a
pawl 38A with an engagement end 110 adapted to latchingly engage
roller 74A (associated with primary engagement device 40A) when
ratchet 36A is located in its primary striker capture position and
to latchingly engage roller 74B (associated with secondary
engagement device 40B) when ratchet 36A is located in its secondary
striker capture position. FIG. 8A illustrates pawl 38A located in
its ratchet holding position while FIG. 8B illustrates pawl 38A
located in its ratchet releasing position.
[0055] The roller-type single ratchet/pawl latch mechanisms
disclosed above each provide reduced latch release efforts required
to move the pawl from its ratchet holding position to its ratchet
releasing position due to rolling (i.e. point-type) engagement
compared to the otherwise conventional sliding friction engagement
associated with non-roller type latch mechanisms. However, the
requirement to provide both primary latching (door fully-closed)
and secondary latching (door partially-closed) functionality
requires increased packaging to accommodate the pawl travel and
provide adequate latching surfaces on the ratchet. In addition, it
would be desirable to provide a more compact configuration capable
of also providing a power cinching feature. In this regard, FIG. 9
is a isometric view of a non-limiting sample embodiment of a
closure latch assembly 118 operably interconnected via a cinch
actuation mechanism 120, shown as a cinch cable assembly 120, to a
power-operated cinch actuator 122. FIG. 9A illustrates the closure
latch assembly 118 operably interconnected to a cinch cable
assembly 120 which is operate to be driven e.g. pulled and/or
pushed by a power cinch actuator 122. The closure latch assembly
118 and the power cinch actuator 122 are shown as being both
installed e.g. mounted to an inner door shut face surface 123 and
an inner panel 125, respectively, of door 16, within an inner
cavity 119 of vehicle door 16, the inner cavity 119 defined by the
inner panel 125 and an outer panel (not shown). FIG. 10 is an
isometric view of a latch mechanism 132, a latch release mechanism
134, and a latch cinch mechanism 136 associated with a strength
module incorporated in closure latch assembly 118 and which will be
detailed hereinafter. FIG. 10 illustrates a revised version of the
strength module shown in FIG. 4D and which is now equipped with
enhanced functionality provided by the present disclosure.
Specifically, latch cinch mechanism 136 is configured to hold latch
mechanism 132 in its secondary closing state and to subsequently
cause latch mechanism 132 to be transitioned from its secondary
closing state to its primary closing state.
[0056] Referring initially to FIGS. 10-12, latch mechanism 132 is
generally shown to include a configuration similar to latch
mechanism 32 of FIGS. 2-4. To this end, latch mechanism 132
includes a ratchet 36' supported from a frame plate 34' for
rotational movement about a ratchet pivot post 42', a pawl 38'
supported from frame plate 34' for pivotal movement about a pawl
pivot post 62', and a roller-type engagement device 40' having a
cage 72' secured to pawl 38' and ball bearing 74' retained within
cage 72'. However, in this particular embodiment, ratchet 36' only
includes a single latch feature, configured as a primary latch
notch 50', and an elongated edge profile 54'. As will be detailed,
latch cinch mechanism 136 is configured to engage a ratchet
engagement feature or member, such as a ratchet post 140, extending
from ratchet 36' when ratchet 36' is moved by striker 20 from its
striker release position into its secondary striker capture
position and to mechanically hold ratchet 36' in its secondary
striker capture position while pawl 38' is maintained in its
ratchet releasing position with ball bearing 74' engaging elongated
cam profile 54'. Thus the secondary latch notch has been
eliminated, thus simplifying the ratchet 36' profile, since pawl
38' is no longer used to hold ratchet 36' in its secondary striker
capture position. Ratchet switch lever 142 is mounted to ratchet
36' about ratchet pivot post 42' and works in cooperation with
ratchet position sensor 144 to provide a "door open" signal when
ratchet 36' moves to its striker release position. As is well
known, the door open signal is used by the latch controller unit
(ECU) to control initial actuation and subsequent resetting of
power release actuator 102 and latch release mechanism 134. Ratchet
biasing member 58' is again indicated by a directional arrow to
illustrate normal biasing of ratchet 36' toward its striker release
position.
[0057] As before, ratchet 36' is still rotatable between its three
distinct positions including its striker release position, its
secondary striker capture position, and its primary striker capture
position. Likewise, pawl 38' is still pivotal about pawl pivot post
62' between its ratchet holding position and its ratchet releasing
position. In this embodiment, however, elongated cam profile 54' on
ratchet 36' holds pawl 38' in its ratchet releasing position when
ratchet 36' is located in both of its striker release position and
its secondary striker capture position. As such, pawl 38' is only
permitted to move into its ratchet holding position when ratchet
36' is moved into its primary striker capture position whereat ball
bearing 74' engages surface 68' on pawl 38' and primary latch notch
50' on ratchet 36'. A pawl biasing member 80' is provided for
normally biasing pawl 36' toward its ratchet holding position.
[0058] Latch release mechanism 134 includes a release lever 150
supported about a release lever pivot post 152 for movement between
a non-actuated position and an actuated position, and a release
lever biasing spring 154 operable to normally bias release lever
150 toward its non-actuated position. Release lever pivot post 152
is shown in this non-limiting embodiment to be aligned with and/or
integrally associated with pawl pivot post 62'. A release lever lug
156 formed on release lever 150 engages a pawl lug 158 formed on
first pawl leg segment 64' of pawl 36'. As such, movement of
release lever 150 from its non-actuated position into its actuated
position causes pawl 38' to move from its ratchet holding position
to its ratchet releasing position. As before, a power release
actuator 102 (schematically shown in FIG. 10) is provided for
moving release lever 150 from is non-actuated position into its
actuated position when the ECU is signaled to shift latch mechanism
132 from one of its closed operating states into its released
operating state. A pawl switch lever 160 is pivotal about pivot
post 162 and is used in conjunction with a pawl position sensor 164
(FIG. 10) to detect when pawl 38' is located in its ratchet holding
position which is also indicative of ratchet 36' being located in
its primary striker capture position so as to indicate door 16
being located in its fully-closed position. Pawl switch lever 160
has a leg portion 166 (FIG. 13) engaging pawl lug 158 such that
movement of pawl switch lever 160 in response to movement of pawl
38' to its ratchet holding position actuates pawl position sensor
164.
[0059] Latch cinch mechanism 136 is operably connected via cinch
cable assembly 120 to power cinch actuator 122 (FIG. 9) for driving
ratchet 36' from its secondary striker capture position into its
primary striker capture position. A cinch switch lever 170
associated with latch cinch mechanism 136 is arranged to actuate a
cinch sensor 172 (FIG. 10) when ratchet 36' is located in its
secondary striker capture position so as to cause the ECU to
actuate power cinch actuator 122 and initiate the power cinching
function. Note also that pawl switch lever 160 is used to recognize
when ratchet 36' is located in its primary striker capture position
to cause the ECU to de-actuate power cinch actuator 122 and
complete the power cinching function.
[0060] Generally speaking, latch cinch mechanism 136 includes, in
this non-limiting embodiment, a cinch lever 180, a cinch link 182,
a cinch link biasing member 184 shown in the figures as a cinch
link spring 184, an auxiliary cinch lever 186, and an auxiliary
cinch lever spring 188. Cinch lever 180 is mounted for pivotal
movement about a pivot axis, such as release lever pivot post 152,
and is configured to include a first cinch lever leg 190 and a
second cinch lever leg 192 disposed on opposite sides of a cinch
lever pivot segment 193. Illustratively, the release lever 150 and
cinch lever 180 are shown positioned adjacent to the ratchet 36'
within distinct planes in an overlapping compact configuration. A
lost motion slot 194 is formed in first cinch lever leg 190. The
lost motion slot 194 is dimensioned to allow pretravel for the
cinch lever 180 that is attached by cinch cable 120 to the
power-operated cinch actuator 122. The dimensional and positional
tolerances of cinch cable 120, for example a Bowden cable length
tolerance, as well as the power-operated cinch actuator 122 and
latch Bowden cable attachment tolerances are compensated by the
lost motion slot 194 to avoid the cinch link 182 from being
preloaded by the cinch lever 180 which may modify the nominal
latched secondary position, i.e. the rotational position of the
ratchet 36' at which the ratchet post 140 moves into engagement
with a side edge surface of cinch link 182, as will be described in
more detail herein below.
[0061] Second cinch lever leg 192 is shown connected via a ferrule
196 to a first end of a cable associated with cinch cable assembly
120. Cinch link 182 is an elongated member having a cinch link
pivot 200 at a first end and a cinch link engagement feature or
member, hereinafter referred to as drive notch 202, formed at a
second end. Cinch link pivot 200 has a first drive pin segment (not
shown) extending into and guided within lost motion slot 194 on
first cinch lever leg 190 of cinch lever 180. A second drive pin
segment 204 of cinch link pivot 200 extends through and is guided
within a first drive slot 206 formed in release lever 150. A cinch
link rivet 210 extending outwardly from cinch link 182 is retained
within a second drive slot 212 formed in release lever 150. Cinch
link spring 184 surround pivot post 152 and has its opposite end
segments engaged with cinch lever 180 and cinch link 182. Cinch
link spring 184 is arranged to normally bias cinch link 182 and
cinch lever 180 in the direction shown by arrow 213 (FIG. 13).
Auxiliary cinch lever 186 is pivotable about an auxiliary cinch
lever pivot 214 and has an end lug segment 216 engaging a cam lug
218 (FIG. 15) formed on cinch lever 180. Auxiliary cinch lever
spring 188 acts to normally bias end lug segment 216 into
continuous engagement with cam lug 218.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 13 through 17, latch mechanism 132 is
shown operating in a primary closed state, latch release mechanism
134 is shown operating in a non-actuated state, and latch cinch
mechanism 136 is shown operating in a rest state. As such, door 16
is held in its fully-closed position with striker 20 retained in
striker cavity 46 of ratchet 36' as ratchet 36' is held in its
primary striker capture position by pawl 38' being located in its
ratchet holding position via engagement of ball 74' between pawl
engagement surface 68 on pawl 38' and primary latch notch 50 on
ratchet 36'. With latch cinch mechanism 136 operating in its rest
state, cinch lever 180 is located in a rest position and is
operable for locating cinch link 182 in a rest position. With cinch
link 182 located in its rest position, drive notch 202 is aligned
with, but displaced from engagement with ratchet post 140. Since
latch release mechanism 134 is operating in its non-actuated state,
release lever 150 is shown located in its non-actuated position.
FIG. 11 shows an overslam bumper 220 engaging ratchet 36' in its
primary striker capture position and a release lever rest bumper
222 engaging release lever 150 in its non-actuated position.
[0063] In contrast to latch mechanism 132 operating in its primary
closed state (FIGS. 13-17), FIGS. 18A and 18B now illustrate latch
mechanism 132 operating in a released state, latch release
mechanism 134 operating in an actuated state, and latch cinch
mechanism 136 operating in a stand-by state when door 16 has been
opened and striker 20 is released from ratchet 36', which is now
shown located in its striker release position. As seen, ball 74'
engages edge cam surface 54' on ratchet 36' such that pawl 38' is
held in its ratchet releasing position while release lever 150 is
shown rotated to its actuated position. Such rotation of ratchet
36' to its striker release position, under the biasing applied
thereto by ratchet spring 58', results in ratchet post 140 moving
into engagement with a side edge surface of cinch link 182. As is
understood, movement of release lever 150 from its non-actuated
position into its actuated position causes pawl 36' to move from
its ratchet holding position (FIG. 17) to its ratchet releasing
position (FIG. 18A) which, in turn, allows ratchet spring 58' to
drive ratchet 36' to its striker release position. Release lever
150 is subsequently returned to its non-actuated position following
completion of the power release operation.
[0064] FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate latch mechanism 132 shifted
from its released state (FIGS. 18A and 18B) into its secondary
closed state in response to door 16 being partially-closed (i.e. a
soft close event) and also illustrate latch cinch mechanism 136
shifted from its stand-by state into an engaged state.
Specifically, rotation of ratchet 36' from its striker release
position into its secondary striker capture position causes cinch
link 182 to pivot from its rest position into an engaged position
such that drive notch 202 on cinch link 182 moves into engagement
with ratchet post 140 on ratchet 36' and thereafter acts to
mechanically hold ratchet 36' in its secondary striker capture
position. Note that pawl 38' is retained in its ratchet releasing
position by ball 74' continuing to engage cam edge 54' of ratchet
36'. Additionally, first drive pin segment of cinch link pivot 200
engages an end segment of lost motion slot 194 formed in cinch
lever 180, as is indicated by arrow 230. In this position, cinch
lever switch 170 actuates cinch position sensor 172 and sends a
signal to the ECU that is used to initiate actuation of power cinch
actuator 122. By having the secondary striker capture position of
the ratchet 36' maintained by a dedicated lever (i.e. release lever
150), the blind spot problems associated with the cinch function
can be overcome. Since the single cinch sensor 172 monitoring the
cinch switch lever 170 associated with the release lever 150 (which
does not change its position between secondary striker capture
position and primary striker capture position of the ratchet 36')
is used to determine when the power-operated cinch actuator 122
needs to be activated (i.e. when the ratchet 36' is in the
secondary striker capture position), the reliance on the
combination of a ratchet position and a pawl position switches, or
additional switches, is not necessary, and the cinch malfunctions
due to blind spots may be avoided.
[0065] Actuation of power cinch actuator 122 causes latch cinch
mechanism 136 to initiate cinching of ratchet 36' by mechanically
rotating it from its secondary striker capture position (FIG. 19A)
to is primary striker capture position (FIG. 16). The power
cinching operation is illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B wherein
movement of cinch lever 180 from its cinch start position into a
cinch stop position (via pulling of cinch cable 120) causes the
drive connection between the first drive pin on cinch link pivot
200 and slot 194 in cinch lever 180 to cause concurrent movement of
cinch link 182 from its engaged position into a ratchet-cinched
position for causing rotation of ratchet 36' from its secondary
striker capture position into its primary striker capture position
due to engagement of drive notch 202 on cinch link 182 with ratchet
post 140 on ratchet 36'. This drive engagement functions to cause
ratchet 36' to slightly over-travel past its primary striker
capture position to allow roller ball 74' to disengage cam edge
surface 54' and align with primary latch notch 50, thereby
permitting pawl 38' to move into its ratchet holding position. As
the cinch link 182 is moved, the cinch link 182 will pivot about
the cinch link rivet 210 retained within the second drive slot 212
as caused by the movement of the second end of the cinch link 182
caused by the second drive pin segment 204 following the arcuate
path of the first drive slot 206. As the cinch link 182 is moved,
the orientation of the cinch link 182 will change to follow the
rotational path of the ratchet post 140 relative to the ratchet
pivot post 42 so as to ensure the force applied by the cinch link
182 upon the ratchet 36' is constantly maintained on the ratchet
post 140 in the direction of travel of the cinch link 182.
[0066] Upon completion of this power cinching operation, ratchet
36' is held in its primary striker capture position by pawl 38' and
latch cinch mechanism 136 is "reset" back into its rest state (FIG.
16). For example, to reset the latch cinch mechanism 136 into its
rest state, the power release actuator 102 (or the
manually-actuated inside or outside latch release actuator) may be
actuated to pivot release lever 150 from its non-actuated position
into its actuated position for moving the cinch link 182 to release
lock notch 202 from ratchet post 140 e.g. by moving the cinch link
rivet 210 as urged by the movement of the second drive slot 212.
The disengagement of the latch cinch mechanism 136 is designed in
such way the moment arm on the cinch link 182 does not decrease
during the cinch function, which allows to lower the disengagement
efforts i.e. the distance between the cinch link rivet 210 retained
within the second drive slot 212 and the release lever pivot post
152 rather increases during the cinch function which increases the
force the second drive slot 212 applies on the pin 140 due to the
rotation of the pivot release lever 150.
[0067] FIGS. 21A through 21C illustrate a cinch "override"
operation to shift latch cinch mechanism 136 from its actuated
state into an override-released state. Specifically, power release
actuator 102 (or the manually-actuated inside or outside latch
release actuator) is actuated to pivot release lever 150 from its
non-actuated position into its actuated position for driving pawl
38' to its ratchet releasing position and moving cinch link 182 to
release lock notch 202 from ratchet pin 140.
[0068] In an alternative arrangement, cinch link 182 can remain
engaged with ratchet 36' (via lock notch 202 and ratchet post 140)
when ratchet 36' is located in its primary striker capture
position. As such, subsequent actuation of latch release mechanism
134 will cause release lever 150 to move pawl 38' and cinch link
180 concurrently to release ratchet 36' for movement to its striker
release position.
[0069] FIGS. 22A-22G provide a series of sequential views
illustrating movement of the various components associated with
shifting of latch mechanism 132 from its released state (FIG. 22A)
into its secondary closed state (FIG. 22C) via engagement of
striker 20 with ratchet 36' during movement of door 16 from its
open position to its partially-closed position. As noted, this
action results in movement of cinch link 182 relative to ratchet
36' until drive notch 202 is aligned with and engaging ratchet post
140. At this point, the power cinching operation is initiated via
actuation of power cinch actuator 122 such that cinch link 180
mechanically drives ratchet 36' from its secondary capture position
to its primary striker capture position (see FIGS. 22C through
22F). In this manner, latch mechanism 132 is shifted from its
secondary closed state into its primary closed state. Following
completion of the power cinching operation, cinch link 182 is
uncoupled from ratchet 36' (FIG. 22G) with pawl 38' functioning to
hold ratchet 36' in its primary striker capture position.
[0070] The present invention provides a simple and compact design
of latch assembly 118 having a ratchet 36' with a one tooth
(primary latch notch 50') profile engaged only by the pawl 38' in
the primary striker capture position. As noted, the secondary
striker capture position for the ratchet 36' is obtained via
engagement of ratchet-mounted post 140 engaged and held by a cinch
component (cinch link 182) of a cinching mechanism. The release
lever 150 has a profile configured to guide the cinch link 182
during the power cinching function and which is also used for cinch
disengage and latch release in any ratchet position. The disengage
arrangement is designed such that the moment arm on the cinch link
182 does not decrease during the cinching operation, thereby
permitting lower disengagement efforts.
[0071] While cinching mechanism 136 is shown operably associated
with roller-type single ratchet/pawl latch mechanism 132, those
skilled in the art will recognize that alternative single and
double ratchet/pawl latch mechanisms can be used, provided the
cinching mechanism is configured to establish the secondary closed
state without direct latching engagement between the ratchet and
pawl. Likewise, alternative arrangements for cinch actuator 122 and
cinch cable 120 can be provided for selectively moving cinch lever
180 between its rest and cinch position to initiate and complete
the power cinching operation.
[0072] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
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